Mail-box.



W. 1WYATT.

MAIL BOX.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 6. 1914.

1 1 68,1 38. Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

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W. WYATT.

MAIL BOX. APPLICATION FILED NOV.- e, 1914.

1,168,138. Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

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WILLIAM WYATT, 0E SALEM, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF 'ro ADA B. WEBSTER,

0E sALEM, VIRGINIA.

MAILrBOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

Application filed November 6, 1914. Serial No. 870,644..

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in mail boxes.

The primary object of the invention is the construction of a mail box of particular advantage along rural routeswhereby the mail may be removed and deposited with ease.

A further object of the invention is the construction of a mail box which automatically opens when the lock is released.

A. further object of the invention is the construction of a mail box having a signal attached thereto.

lVith these and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel details of construction and arrangement of parts which will be more clearly understood from the following description and drawings, in which,

Figure l is a view in side elevation showing the box open. Fig. 2 is an end View. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a detail partly in section of one of the pivot points.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates the end plates having the flanges 2 formed on the bottom thereof whereby the plates are secured to any suitable support. outer cylinder 3 having an opening 4: therein is connected to the end pieces in any suitable manner and a lock 5 of any desired construction is secured to the cylinder 3 at the top edge of the opening 4. This lock 5 is provided with a projection 6 which extends into the cylinder 3, as more clearly shown-in Fig. 3 of the drawings, and. the purpose of which will be presently described.

Rotatably mounted within the cylinder 3 is a cylinder 7 having an opening therein and having the end plates 8. The cylinder 7 is provided with a catch 9 adapted to be engaged by the lock 5 when the cylinder 1s so rotated that the opening is out of alinement with the opening in the outer cylinder 3. The inner cylinder 7 is rolled at the lower edge of the opening, as indicated at 10, and within the roll is received a I weight 11 which automatically rotates the inner cylinder when released from the lock.

The inner cylinder is rotatably connected to the outer cylinder by means of threaded bolts 12 which pass through the end plates 1 and plates 8 of the cylinder and receive on the inner ends the nuts 13. Arranged between the head of the bolt 12 and the end plates 1, between the end plates 1 andplates 8 of the rotatable inner cylinder andbetween the plates of the inner cylinder and nuts are the washers 14. By thi ar n ment there is little friction and the inner cylinder can easily rotate. As clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, when the inner cylinder is rotated so that the box is open, the upper edge of the opening in the inner cylinder will engage the projection 6 formed on the lock 5 and thereby limit the movement of the cylinder. 7

Secured on one of the plates 1 is a guide brocket 15 in which is slidably mounted a signal strip 16 having an elongated slot 17 formed therein and terminating in'an enlarged opening, indicated at 18, in dotted lines in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The slot is preferably at an angle, as shown, the purpose of which will be presently described. Qne of the headed bolts 12 extends into the slot 17 and into the enlargement at the end of the slot for holding the signal in raised position. The upper end of the strip 16 may be of any suitable color to attract attention. A handle 19 is secured upon the strip 16 whereby the strip may be operated.

Having fully described the detailed construction it is thought that the operation and advantages will be clearly understood. When the box is closed it is only necessary, when desiring to insert or remove mail matter. to unlock the lock and the weight 11 will automatically rotate the inner cylinder bringing the openings in said cylinder and outer cylinder into registration. The projection 6 on the lock engaging the edge of the inner cylinder will limit the movement in opening. After the mail has been removed and deposited the inner cylinder is then raised and the catch engages the lock thereby holding the box closed. When it is desired to give a signal to either the postman or the owner of the box the strip 16 is raised, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the headed bolt 12 being engaged in the enlargement 18 at the end of the elongated slot.

when it is desired to lower the same the handle 19 is grasped, the strip moved to one side so that the headed bolt will enter the slot 17 and the strip is then lowered. By having the slot 17 at an angle it will be seen that the strip is held in a vertical position when either raised or lowered. .By having the pivot points arranged as described there is little friction and the inner cylinder can easily rotate. It will thus be seen that I have provided a convenient box which may be opened, if desired, with one hand and mail deposited or removed there from. Such a construction is of particular advantage to rural carriers who ordinarily travel in a vehicle and who often are only able to use one hand in depositing and removing the mail. It will be seen that with a box of this character it is not even necessary for the carrier to leave his vehicle.

Having fully described the invention Y It will thus be seen that. the strip will be held in raised position and what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is V A mail box comprising an outer cylinder having an opening therein and a look attached adjacent the upper edge of said opening, a cylinder rotatably mounted within cylindrical weight incased in said roll to automatically bring said openings into registration when the lock is unfastened.

In testimony whereof I my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM WYATT.

Witnesses A J. DjLoeAN, M. F. STUMP.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. C. 

